Isaiah 5:18
Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
Original Language Analysis
מֹשְׁכֵ֥י
unto them that draw
H4900
מֹשְׁכֵ֥י
unto them that draw
Strong's:
H4900
Word #:
2 of 8
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
הַשָּׁ֑וְא
of vanity
H7723
הַשָּׁ֑וְא
of vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
5 of 8
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
וְכַעֲב֥וֹת
rope
H5688
וְכַעֲב֥וֹת
rope
Strong's:
H5688
Word #:
6 of 8
something intwined, i.e., a string, wreath or foliage
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.Psalms 36:2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Jeremiah 23:10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.Ezekiel 13:22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
Historical Context
Judah's idolatry and injustice weren't passive drift but active choice, despite repeated prophetic warning. Willful rebellion, not ignorance, characterized their covenant breaking.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'cords of vanity' are we using to drag sin into our lives despite knowing better?
- How does recognizing sin as laborious pursuit (not mere weakness) affect our view of repentance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The vivid metaphor of drawing iniquity 'with cords of vanity' and sin 'as it were with a cart rope' depicts willful, laborious pursuit of evil. Far from being pulled unwillingly into sin, these actively drag it to themselves with effort. The cart rope imagery suggests heavy, sustained labor in service of wickedness. This anticipates Proverbs 5:22 ('his own iniquities shall take the wicked') and Jesus' teaching about serving sin versus righteousness (John 8:34).